cold air instake
- Thread starter Spanky7
- Start date
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blueflamed03
Supporting Member
Stuart, VERY minimal if any at all, honestly....
lorax54
Full Access Member
Now, is it very minimal...regardless of what exhaust you have? I'm sure the Chevrolet put an air box on the engine to fit the type of exhaust they were planning to use. Is the minimal gain because the stock exhaust holds it back, and a better exhaust would be able to maximize the increased volume draw of the CAI? Does that even make sense?
good question, answers anyone?
TogaPC
Full Access Member
Stock airbox and exhaust are a good match. Let's remember that the key to making horsepower is moving as much air in and out of the engine as possible. If you increase the airflow as long as the computer makes up for it with the correct mixture adjustments you will make more power. That's why superchargers and turbos make much more horsepower.
The CAI does draw slightly cooler air depending on the setup and since the stock intake has a lot of baffling to eliminate noise it is more restrictive. It is fairly ineffective, however, to increase the flow in without increasing the flow out. Make sure when you choose an after market exhaust that not only does it sound better but the flow is better.
Once you reduce the restriction at both ends it's very important that you tune your ECU to compensate for the extra air flow.
So to answer your question...no, a CAI alone does not make much difference. Combine it with an exhaust and a tune and you will gain horsepower and throttle response.
The CAI does draw slightly cooler air depending on the setup and since the stock intake has a lot of baffling to eliminate noise it is more restrictive. It is fairly ineffective, however, to increase the flow in without increasing the flow out. Make sure when you choose an after market exhaust that not only does it sound better but the flow is better.
Once you reduce the restriction at both ends it's very important that you tune your ECU to compensate for the extra air flow.
So to answer your question...no, a CAI alone does not make much difference. Combine it with an exhaust and a tune and you will gain horsepower and throttle response.
2007tahoeGuy
TYF Newbie
You should have the same effect installing a K&N air filter as you would a CAI (at a much lower cost)...very little gain but you should feel something. From my personal experience, the CAI will give you a nice growl coming from under the hood off the line b/c the stock air box is also used to help lower intake engine noise.
And I just wanted hey, BTW. New to the forum!
And I just wanted hey, BTW. New to the forum!
TogaPC
Full Access Member
First off...welcome to the forum.
I would partially agree with you on the K&N drop in filter, especially if you do the swiss cheese mod. The biggest problem is the baffling in the stock intake which creates turbulence in the intake airflow.
Most of the CAI kits come with a very simple intake tube design that allows direct flow from the filter to the throttle body. The air also travels less distance which helps prevent heat soak and helps with throttle response since the distance from the MAF sensor to the combustion chamber is shorter.
These are all minor factors but they do add up.
As for cost...I don't see a huge difference between the drop in and the CAI. If you're gonna do it, might as well do it right.
K&N Drop In - $46.45
Spectre CAI - $123.95
Plus the CAI looks so much cooler...
Last edited:
First off...welcome to the forum.
I would partially agree with you on the K&N drop in filter, especially if you do the swiss cheese mod. The biggest problem is the baffling in the stock intake which creates turbulence in the intake airflow.
Most of the CAI kits come with a very simple intake tube design that allows direct flow from the filter to the throttle body. The air also travels less distance which helps prevent heat soak and helps with throttle response since the distance from the MAF sensor to the combustion chamber is shorter.
These are all minor factors but they do add up.
As for cost...I don't see a huge difference between the drop in and the CAI. If you're gonna do it, might as well do it right.
K&N Drop In - $46.45
Spectre CAI - $123.95
Plus the CAI looks so much cooler...
The K&N CAI is almost 300. It is made of much better materials and it is designed better to stop heat soak when stopped at red lights. IMO
KrautBurner
Full Access Member
the biggest advantage to a "CAI" is the growl that will come from under the hood.
on open highway under optimal conditions, it may be good for about 1mpg too
on open highway under optimal conditions, it may be good for about 1mpg too
Thanks guys! I actually like the look of the Banks RAM CAI, that's what I would likely go with if I decided to purchase one. the extra mpg would make me most happy. I didn't buy this to hop up performace wise I guess, but maybe I'll add exhaust down the road, for right now, it has a decent sound in my book, and I think it is stock?! How could I tell if it was stock or other?
also just an FYI, when I took over this Hoe, it had a reading of 13.5 mpg average, now after 3 tanks of gas, the average is up to 17.6. In my 60 mile round trip my personal mpg read 19.3! I
also just an FYI, when I took over this Hoe, it had a reading of 13.5 mpg average, now after 3 tanks of gas, the average is up to 17.6. In my 60 mile round trip my personal mpg read 19.3! I
